Page 80 of Soul of a Psycho

But my veins blaze when he grabs her, jerking her back. He bears over her, pointing a finger in her face. The gallantry he’s been hiding behind is gone, replaced with malice, and I never hated a person more. Not even Bentley.

He’s dictatorial in the way he looms over her, arrogant in a way that makes me want to feed him his teeth. This is why I have to end our senior class, because this is what people like Bentley grow up to be, and I can’t have that.

But as Sky’s eyes fill with tears of defeat, it occurs to me that I’m not really stopping anything. The scourge I’m trying to eradicate is already free. Running the world and abusing their daughters.

I swallow back my doubts and try to focus on what the prick is saying.

“…like your mother. A whore. Do you have any idea what it looks like for you to be spreading your legs all over the country? I should have never let you out of your room. I swear to God, if your antics end up in the news, you’ll never see the light of day. You hear me?!”

He shakes, rattling her like a toy, and my vision prickles with red. I grip the knife in my pocket, ready to flip it open and cut out his tongue.A whore?What kind of egotistical fuck talks like that? I’m a breath away from losing control, my muscles trembling with restraint. My angel will bask in sunlight with what short time she has left. She only leaves this world with me at her side.

Chapter Fifty-Three

Sky

Itwist in the mirror, trying to see the purpling fingerprints on my arm. I’m lucky that’s all there is, that my father couldn’t get me alone long enough to do more. I know he wanted to. All he talked about during dinner was the delinquent I’ve gotten myself involved with. He seemed to have disregarded why he came here in the first place, seething with contempt for Cade. How repulsive his tattoos are, that only a punk pierces their face, and whether I like being a slut or if I just like being trash.

My cheeks hurt more than my arm. The weight of having to hold a smile every time the waiter returned had made my jaw sore and tired. I’ve forgotten how exhausting it is to pretend like I’m not being cut down with every breath I take, and the dread of the semester’s end looms like a timer I can’t stop. I don’t have nearly enough to get out of the country, and I’m going to be stuck here, withering under his reign.

“Did Cade do that!?”

I jump, realizing Ruby has slipped into the room.

“God, no!” I scramble to find one of his black hoodies to pull on.

Just great. Now I get to hear about how damning Cade is from her, too.

“Sky, if he—”

“It wasn’t him,” I snap, harsher than I mean to. “He wouldneverhurt me.”

I avoid her eyes, turning to pull on the hoodie, knowing there won’t be a shred of faith in them. Who would think that the congressman, with his tailored suit and charismatic smile, would lay a hand on me when Cade exists? God forbid we look beyond the surface. Even Chase exuded a certain level of safety, with his cringe loafers and pastel shorts. But it’s just a seedy means to disarm. Cade at least shows you who he is. And for all his demonizing exterior, he’s never acted out of cruelty or entitlement.

“Then who did it?” Ruby presses.

I ignore her, choosing to make my bed instead of answering her. She won’t believe me. Just like no one believed me about Chase. People I thought were my friends disregarded me for telling the truth once. I won’t make that mistake again.

The hardened chip grows like ice on my shoulder, and I fluff the pillow with such force that a feather escapes. I don’t want to be this person. I don’t want to feel like this, bitter and closed off. But I’m just so sick of everyone brushing aside what I say, what I want,who I am. I’m not little miss perfect, and I don’t want to be. I don’t want to smile for show or bite my tongue. I don’t want to fucking let Chase go off to college to hurt someone else. And Idon’twant to have to defend who I love.

“That’s it,” Ruby declares. “If his mother won’t do something about him, then I’m going to my uncle. He’s a barrister. She can’t allow him to get away with—”

“It was my father!” I screech, spinning on her. “Are you fucking happy?! Myfather,Ruby.NotCade.” I blink at the sudden fury of tears in my eyes. “So, see if your barrister uncle can do anything about that.”

She stands stock still, a look of horror on her face, and for once, I’ve stumped her. There’s no witty come back, no sneer orhip jut. Just a slow descent into pity that hits like an anvil on my chest.

Oh, god. I shouldn’t have said anything. A gasp of panic crawls up my throat, my skin perspiring even though the heater is off.

“Stop looking at me like that,” my voice is frantic, my grip on poise slick with sweat.

“Sky…” Her shoulders sag.

“No.” I back up. “Don’t.”

“It’s going to be—”

“No.”It’s not going to be okay.

I can’t stop the sob from wracking my shoulders. It’s too late. I’m too screwed up in the head now. I’m going to be that girl with daddy issues. I can’t not see the repercussions of my every action. I can’t let go. I can’t be me. I’m going to suffocate under subjugation for the rest of my life, whether I get away or not.

---